Thanks for this information. I wish I could spend a day in your shop. Im 38, a commercial roofer by day, and learning woodcraft by night. I have several saws, but I'm about to buy my first table saw, but before I do I told myself I had to watch at least 20 hrs videos on safety alone, and another 20 hrs about fundamentals of a table saw since I have no one to learn from. I've used them before, but they were already set up and I had help. Your video gave me the most confidence that I'm ready to buy and start practicing safe cuts at home. Thankyou for all you do.
This is fantastic. I've watched many safety videos and created numerous jigs over the years, and yet it was a great refresher and I learned some new things even still. Thanks for making this available, and I'll be sharing it with many I know who are at various levels of experience.
Wow this is really top quality educational content. I just got my first good table saw (Charnwood w650) and these tips are just what I needed! Thanks so much for sharing!
Marc is an outstanding teacher and very safety conscious. This is an excellent video for new table saw users and/or as a refresher for more experienced users. My only reservation is that he frequently violates his own 6" rule (see 10:20 in the video), bringing his hand closer than 6" to the spinning blade. For just one example in this video, watch him cut a tongue at 38:50. Yes, he has a SawStop and, yes, many of us have made similar cuts with our hand that close. But, if his "most important" rule is to always maintain 6" between hands and spinning blades, he should demonstrate that it is possible to make routine cuts while observing the rule. Even when using his homemade push blocks, his fingers pass closer than 6" to the blade. Perhaps I don't understand his rule, but 6" seems pretty simple and makes sense to me, so I made larger push blocks and devised other means to keep my hands at least 6" from the blade. So, it is possible, and I think his safety message would be more persuasive if Marc demonstrated strict adherence to his own rule.
10:20 is quite safe (roughly 5-6" and is static, plus can't be drawn into the blade). But 38:50 surprised me as well - his hand is just an inch from the blade and applying significant force toward the blade. The blade is of course full covered by the work piece, but it would be catastrophic when a piece gets thrown. Overall he teaches and illustrates excellent advice and will no doubt spare countless accidents!
As always, only do what you're comfortable doing. If you're closer than 6 inches, use something to help... like a push stick. But, like Marc said right after the 10:20 mark... the most important element is having control over the workpiece. Being further away from the blade doesn't always mean you're safer, since sometimes that mean you're less in control. I see too many people using long push sticks which keep them away from the blade, but give them very little control over the cut. Since it's a rabbeting cut, not a through cut, at 38:50 there is no real risk of the piece being thrown. He has better control doing the cut the way he did than with most push blocks, but personally, I would maybe use a push-pad on that cut. -Ben
It's a good video. The thing I don't like about the cheaper, big box stove tablesaws has always been the throat plates. Typically they are just sheet metal and trying to make zero clearance inserts is rather difficult. I'm not sure what, if any, changes are on the newer one but that's the biggest con with cheaper saws.
Hi Ben, I discover a De-greaser from the dollar store that makes cleaning even easier (Awesome Cleaner), take a 5 gallon paint bucket lid, pour some to cover the blade and wait 5-10 mins. use a soft brush and done.
Awesome overview of table saw basics.. you guys should hook up with Izzy Swan and do the ultra advanced tips and tricks. Everyone needs to make a bowling ball with their table saw.
I like this tablesaw sled. I can see room for a few improvements for other items like longer push end for longer parts a changeable groove for use with dado blades and back stop incert for differt size blades and dado blades with the removable incert and wider groove for the blade you can cut angles to the table top, you can add a t track for stops and an extension rail for longer parts, also a back cut block for box miter joints. And then t track for hold downs and a perfect 90dgr picture frame cutting jig you can add to it youll be able to do compound miter cuts with like crown molding type cuts for picture frame's. Maybe even cuts for dovetail joints. His squaring fence cut was fast and close enough if you really must go ahead and do a 5 cut method but I dont think its really nessary.
I was told in HS auto shop (1974) that my glasses were sufficient eye protection, until one day, pulling up underlayment in my son’s kitchen, I took a direct hit in the very center of my left eye’s lens. I’m talking dead center. I had to replace the glasses, but had I not been wearing them I would probably be blind or severely compromised in my left eye. And that’s my good eye. If I had to live with only my right eye, I’d sell my car and walk with a white cane!
Is that 3/8" polycarb? Why not just 1/4"? So much lighter & less expensive, yet almost bulletproof. (Great video Marc! Met you in Milwaukee a few yrs ago). Boy, all that MDF ... how much does that sucker weigh? Wouldn't you rather use baltic birchply?
I almost wet myself laughing when you said you can change the revving knife easily on a table saw (maybe on sum) take about 5 minutes on my saw. However Great video with some very useful information for people who don't own a table saw and are thinking about getting one, and people who have only just started to use one.
It slices, it dices, its not Ronco but it can cut your fingers off. Approach the tool with respect. Use any safty device you can, if they come out with safer ways to do the same job by all means use them. But always remember its a tool without feelings, it cuts wood and none ferrous metals, your bodys no match for a running blade you will get cut, no matter how many times you've moved off waste cuts from the running saw one day you will get hurt doing it. Stop the machine let the blade come to a complete stup Then use a tool to brush it away even a stopped blade can cut you.
Thanks for this information. I wish I could spend a day in your shop. Im 38, a commercial roofer by day, and learning woodcraft by night. I have several saws, but I'm about to buy my first table saw, but before I do I told myself I had to watch at least 20 hrs videos on safety alone, and another 20 hrs about fundamentals of a table saw since I have no one to learn from. I've used them before, but they were already set up and I had help. Your video gave me the most confidence that I'm ready to buy and start practicing safe cuts at home. Thankyou for all you do.
This is fantastic. I've watched many safety videos and created numerous jigs over the years, and yet it was a great refresher and I learned some new things even still. Thanks for making this available, and I'll be sharing it with many I know who are at various levels of experience.
Thanks, Ben and Fine Woodworking! This is great and much appreciated.
Your explanations are so clear. It shows that you have a class. Wish I was a student.
👏👏This is a must see tutorial for all woodworkers!
Thank you so much. Hand injuries are no fun - I learned the hard way… 🌹🇦🇺✌️
Wow this is really top quality educational content. I just got my first good table saw (Charnwood w650) and these tips are just what I needed! Thanks so much for sharing!
This is the best table saw video I’ve seen. Lots of great tips. Thanks!
What an awesome instructional video. I learned a lot today that i can apply on my table saw.
Marc is an outstanding teacher and very safety conscious. This is an excellent video for new table saw users and/or as a refresher for more experienced users. My only reservation is that he frequently violates his own 6" rule (see 10:20 in the video), bringing his hand closer than 6" to the spinning blade. For just one example in this video, watch him cut a tongue at 38:50. Yes, he has a SawStop and, yes, many of us have made similar cuts with our hand that close. But, if his "most important" rule is to always maintain 6" between hands and spinning blades, he should demonstrate that it is possible to make routine cuts while observing the rule. Even when using his homemade push blocks, his fingers pass closer than 6" to the blade. Perhaps I don't understand his rule, but 6" seems pretty simple and makes sense to me, so I made larger push blocks and devised other means to keep my hands at least 6" from the blade. So, it is possible, and I think his safety message would be more persuasive if Marc demonstrated strict adherence to his own rule.
10:20 is quite safe (roughly 5-6" and is static, plus can't be drawn into the blade). But 38:50 surprised me as well - his hand is just an inch from the blade and applying significant force toward the blade. The blade is of course full covered by the work piece, but it would be catastrophic when a piece gets thrown. Overall he teaches and illustrates excellent advice and will no doubt spare countless accidents!
As always, only do what you're comfortable doing. If you're closer than 6 inches, use something to help... like a push stick. But, like Marc said right after the 10:20 mark... the most important element is having control over the workpiece. Being further away from the blade doesn't always mean you're safer, since sometimes that mean you're less in control. I see too many people using long push sticks which keep them away from the blade, but give them very little control over the cut.
Since it's a rabbeting cut, not a through cut, at 38:50 there is no real risk of the piece being thrown. He has better control doing the cut the way he did than with most push blocks, but personally, I would maybe use a push-pad on that cut. -Ben
Excellent tutorial! Very smart concept, comprehensive. Thank you for putting things together!
Very very useful and very well presented
Really informative video, responsibly made. Thanks for sharing.
It's a good video. The thing I don't like about the cheaper, big box stove tablesaws has always been the throat plates. Typically they are just sheet metal and trying to make zero clearance inserts is rather difficult. I'm not sure what, if any, changes are on the newer one but that's the biggest con with cheaper saws.
Hi Ben, I discover a De-greaser from the dollar store that makes cleaning even easier (Awesome Cleaner), take a 5 gallon paint bucket lid, pour some to cover the blade and wait 5-10 mins. use a soft brush and done.
Great tip! Thanks!
This is an awesome series as I watched it 1 click at a time on the site great info worth the watch.
Thank you very much for such a useful and important video!!!
Great video. Would love to attend classes at his school. I only wish I had seen this when I started out.
Very clear and well spoken! Does the tapered sanding disk have to be tilted to get a square cut?
Awesome overview of table saw basics.. you guys should hook up with Izzy Swan and do the ultra advanced tips and tricks. Everyone needs to make a bowling ball with their table saw.
I like this tablesaw sled. I can see room for a few improvements for other items like longer push end for longer parts a changeable groove for use with dado blades and back stop incert for differt size blades and dado blades with the removable incert and wider groove for the blade you can cut angles to the table top, you can add a t track for stops and an extension rail for longer parts, also a back cut block for box miter joints.
And then t track for hold downs and a perfect 90dgr picture frame cutting jig you can add to it youll be able to do compound miter cuts with like crown molding type cuts for picture frame's.
Maybe even cuts for dovetail joints.
His squaring fence cut was fast and close enough if you really must go ahead and do a 5 cut method but I dont think its really nessary.
Excellent video. Thanks !
How about a video on sliding table saws? Not the bolt-on attachments but ones with the slider up next to the blade.
I was told in HS auto shop (1974) that my glasses were sufficient eye protection, until one day, pulling up underlayment in my son’s kitchen, I took a direct hit in the very center of my left eye’s lens. I’m talking dead center. I had to replace the glasses, but had I not been wearing them I would probably be blind or severely compromised in my left eye. And that’s my good eye. If I had to live with only my right eye, I’d sell my car and walk with a white cane!
This is a really good video, thank you. I just noticed this guy's blades come in nice boxes. My come from home depot and are in plastic. LOL.
Can I use this on a small table saw?
Its fucked up how much I love wood.
Very useful tips..
Is that 3/8" polycarb? Why not just 1/4"? So much lighter & less expensive, yet almost bulletproof. (Great video Marc! Met you in Milwaukee a few yrs ago). Boy, all that MDF ... how much does that sucker weigh? Wouldn't you rather use baltic birchply?
Probably to accommodate the screws.
@@UnbeltedSundew my large sled uses 1/2" birch ply and polycarbonate glued and screwed.
Using countersunk screws is going to crack the lexan quickly. Better to use panhead screws, or best to solvent bond the pieces.
a Must - see.
Outstanding....
Awesome! Thanks for this video!!
I almost wet myself laughing when you said you can change the revving knife easily on a table saw (maybe on sum) take about 5 minutes on my saw. However Great video with some very useful information for people who don't own a table saw and are thinking about getting one, and people who have only just started to use one.
It slices, it dices, its not Ronco but it can cut your fingers off.
Approach the tool with respect.
Use any safty device you can, if they come out with safer ways to do the same job by all means use them.
But always remember its a tool without feelings, it cuts wood and none ferrous metals, your bodys no match for a running blade you will get cut, no matter how many times you've moved off waste cuts from the running saw one day you will get hurt doing it. Stop the machine let the blade come to a complete stup
Then use a tool to brush it away even a stopped blade can cut you.
Hi.!
-- thank you.
17:11 Attach a block on the rip fence, and as long as it stops *before* the spinning blade, everything will be fine.
statement on a topic without unnecessary nagging
I'll just buy a saw stop then I can just throw all the safety bs out the window.
Yeah, but look at his low, loose shirt sleeves...
You lost me at sawstop. Sawstop sucks
The video doesn't have anything to do with Sawstop, he mentions it once in passing.
+1 This video lost me at table saw